Remotely controllable LNG field station management system and method
First Claim
1. A cryogenic LNG fuel field station control system for automated control of a typically above-ground LNG fuel storage and dispensing station, which LNG storage and dispensing station includes a portable pump and piping skid assembly for conditioning lines, pumps and valves for cryogenic LNG fuel storage and delivery, and through which both supply tanker and customer user vehicles can be connected to a cryogenic LNG fuel storage tank via a valve manifold for selective refilling of said cryogenic LNG storage tank and for refueling of said user vehicles from said cryogenic LNG storage tank;
- said cryogenic LNG field station control system comprising;
(a) at least one LNG leak detection sensor sensitive to hydrocarbon fuel vapors mounted in association with said LNG storage and dispensing station;
(b) a means for authorization of customer vehicle fueling and supply tanker refueling use of said LNG storage and dispensing station;
(c) means for communicating with a remote host computer, the remote host computer having means for remote control of said LNG storage and dispensing station; and
(d) a micro controller mounted in association with said station including means for;
i) recognizing authorized users and activating fueling or refueling use of said station upon said recognition;
ii) monitoring system conditioning;
iii) initiating shutting down of said station in response to detection by said sensor of an LNG fuel leak; and
iv) commencing emergency actions upon the occurrence of predetermined emergency conditions, said emergency actions including initiating shut-downs, and transferring records selected from transactions and inventory status to said host computer.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A remotely controllable apparatus, system and method for monitoring, inventory, controlling and reporting on the filling, refilling and dispensing of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) at portable temporary or semi-permanent field-located storage and dispensing stations, including a portable storage tank, and an associated portable pump and control skid, which skid includes: an on-site microprocessor control system having: security features; pump, fill and dispense connections; an LNG leak detection system; a communications link (typically an RF cellular phone system) to a host computer; a dispensing and refilling sales authorization and initiation system (typically a card reader of the credit, access or proximity card types); and a remotely located host computer having a full suite of features including: inventory, monitoring, security and access control; operational control; financial and transaction record keeping and report generation; and emergency warning and shut-down. The field control unit control functions are performed by the on-site microprocessor which receives input from a plurality of natural gas leak detection sensors, and provides complete on site security screening, data acquisition, transaction recording and control capability, including warning via lights, horn or recorded or synthesized voice, and shut-off or shut-down. The field control unit monitors and controls prescribed user vehicle and storage tank filling procedures, and provides communications to a remote central monitoring site having a host computer master controller, via cellular phone.
127 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A cryogenic LNG fuel field station control system for automated control of a typically above-ground LNG fuel storage and dispensing station, which LNG storage and dispensing station includes a portable pump and piping skid assembly for conditioning lines, pumps and valves for cryogenic LNG fuel storage and delivery, and through which both supply tanker and customer user vehicles can be connected to a cryogenic LNG fuel storage tank via a valve manifold for selective refilling of said cryogenic LNG storage tank and for refueling of said user vehicles from said cryogenic LNG storage tank;
- said cryogenic LNG field station control system comprising;
(a) at least one LNG leak detection sensor sensitive to hydrocarbon fuel vapors mounted in association with said LNG storage and dispensing station; (b) a means for authorization of customer vehicle fueling and supply tanker refueling use of said LNG storage and dispensing station; (c) means for communicating with a remote host computer, the remote host computer having means for remote control of said LNG storage and dispensing station; and (d) a micro controller mounted in association with said station including means for; i) recognizing authorized users and activating fueling or refueling use of said station upon said recognition; ii) monitoring system conditioning; iii) initiating shutting down of said station in response to detection by said sensor of an LNG fuel leak; and iv) commencing emergency actions upon the occurrence of predetermined emergency conditions, said emergency actions including initiating shut-downs, and transferring records selected from transactions and inventory status to said host computer. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- said cryogenic LNG field station control system comprising;
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2. Method of operation of a field cryogenic LNG fuel storage and dispensing station comprising the steps of:
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(a) maintaining said station in a waiting state monitorable via remote communications link; (b) reading user identification information on site and comparing said information to an authorized user list which includes at least one authorized fueling customer and at least one resupply vendor; (c) initializing fueling or refueling operation of said station upon verification of authorization of said user and in accord with the type of user; (d) monitoring said station operations for pump, valve and LNG leaks; (e) recording user transactions including vehicle fill quantities and user identification; (f) communicating selected information regarding said station selected from one or more of station condition, operation, monitoring, user transactions, leak detection and inventory to a remote host; and (g) shutting down said station in the event of predetermined emergency conditions including LNG leaks in excess of a preset limit. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of operation of a cryogenic field LNG fuel storage and dispensing station, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) reading user identification information at the storage and dispensing station; (b) comparing the user identification information to an authorized user list; (c) initializing appropriate user operation of the storage and dispensing station when the user identification information matches a listing in the authorized user list; (d) monitoring the storage and dispensing station for the occurrence of emergency conditions, including hydrocarbon fuel vapor leak detection; (e) shutting down operation of the storage and dispensing station upon the detection of an occurrence of at least one preselected emergency condition; and (f) steps (a) through (e) are attendantless operations performed under the control of a microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification